Publication-dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A publication-dispensing apparatus is provided, the kiosk including memory containing one or more publications, a user interface configured to permit a user to select a publication from publications in memory, a processor configured to determine proper payment for a selected publication based on whether the user has a subscription to the selected publication, and a printing device configured to print the selected publication onto a print medium upon receiving proper payment for the selected publication.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of copending application No. 10/154,945filed on May 23, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] One of the frustrations of traveling, whether for business or forpleasure, is being unable to read the home town newspaper. Even onrelatively short trips, the lack of daily news can be an irritation. Onlonger trips, or during short-term relocations, subscriptions tomagazines and other periodicals are missed, increasing the stress andloneliness of being away from home. Alternatively, a traveler mayrequire a particular publication for business reasons, or as part of abusiness assignment. The traveler may be in an area where theirpreferred publications are simply not available. Even where copies of adesired publication are available, the traveler who already has asubscription to his or her favorite magazine may be furtherinconvenienced if forced to pay full price for a copy of a publicationthat they have already paid for.

[0003] It would be significantly more convenient for travelers if asubscriber to a newspaper, magazine, or other publication could obtain acopy of that publication, or a copy of an individual article from suchpublications without paying the full cost of a new copy. Travelers couldread their home town newspaper over breakfast, no matter how far fromhome they were.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a publication-dispensing apparatusin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0005]FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a method of printing a publicationin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the publication-dispensing apparatusof FIG. 1 in communication with a publication database via a network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] An exemplary publication-dispensing apparatus in the form of akiosk 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Kiosk 10 typically includes a chassis 17that may house a display screen 11 and a keyboard 12. The display screenand keyboard, taken in combination, form a user interface that is incommunication with a processor 18. As will be appreciated, the kiosk mayfurther include a printer 13 for printing publications, and a dispenser14 for dispensing such printed publications.

[0008] Printer 13 typically takes the form of a printer mechanism orprint engine that is capable of printing a selected publication prior todispensation to the user. Appropriate printers include, but are notlimited to, dot-matrix printers, inkjet printers, electrophotographicprinters (such as laser printers), etc. The printer may be ablack-and-white printer, or a color printer, and may utilize simplex orduplex printing. Printer 13 may be configured to utilize any of avariety of suitable print media, including plain paper, coated paper,glossy paper, or transparencies, among others. Alternatively, printer 13may include multiple distinct print media, with the selection of aparticular type of media depending upon the nature of the publicationselected, or an expressed user preference. The print media may be storedin discrete sheets, or as a continuous roll.

[0009] Dispenser 14 permits the user to take possession of the printedpublication after printing, and may include, for example, a port orpass-through in chassis 17 of kiosk 10, a slot through which individualsheets may be fed, or a small chamber within kiosk 10 separated from theuser and/or the interior of kiosk 10 by one or more ‘one-way’ doors thatprevent the user from accessing the interior of kiosk 10. Either printer13, or dispenser 14, or both, may incorporate one or more additionalmechanisms that are configured to sort, collate, staple, and/or bindindividual printed publications before they are dispensed. In oneembodiment, the form of the printed output of kiosk 10 is selected bythe user via the user interface.

[0010] Keyboard 12 permits the user to communicate with processor 18 ina manner that is both familiar and accessible to most users. However, avariety of additional suitable user interfaces exist for use incombination with, or in place of, the keyboard. Such additional userinterfaces include, without limitation, a mouse, a trackball, atouchscreen display, a physical or wireless link to a personal digitaldevice, a microphone (in conjunction with voice recognition softwareexecuted by the processor), etc.

[0011] A flow chart depicting illustrative steps of a method of printinga publication using a publication-dispensing apparatus is shown in FIG.2. The method typically includes receiving a signal that identifies theuser, at 30, and receiving a request from the user to print apublication, at 31. The apparatus then may determine whether the userhas a subscription to the requested publication, at 32, and if he/shedoes, may print the requested publication, at 33. The just-describedmethod may further include receiving a payment from the user, andverifying that the payment is acceptable before printing the selectedpublication.

[0012] Although presented in the form of a flow chart in FIG. 2, theabove method is not limited to the precise steps in the particular orderset out above. For example, a request to print a publication may bereceived before the user is identified, or a single signal may bereceived by the processor that identifies the user and also includes arequest to print a publication. Similarly, the user may first select apublication for printing, whereupon the processor may subsequentlyverify that the user has a subscription to the selected publication.Alternatively, the user may first provide the processor with access to arecord that includes the publications to which the user has subscribed,whereupon the processor may subsequently permit the user to select fromamong the user-subscribed publications for printing.

[0013] The processor typically receives the signal identifying the uservia the user interface. Such a signal may include entering anidentifier, such as a name, in conjunction with a password or PINnumber. The name and PIN number could be entered via keyboard 12, or theuser's identity could be encoded on a magnetic swipe card, withcorroboration of the identity accomplished by entering the PIN numbervia the keyboard, as is commonly performed by automated teller machines.It should be appreciated that any other suitable means of identifyingthe user may be utilized, including for example retina scans,fingerprint scans, keycards, digital signatures, and the like.

[0014] In one embodiment, the user may provide the processor with accessto a record that includes publications to which the user subscribes. Therecord may be a file stored on a network that is in communication withthe processor, the user providing access to the record by identifyingthe record and/or providing a password or other means of accessing therecord. Alternatively, the record may include a single publication, andhave access by multiple subscribers. For example, a password identifyingthe user as a subscriber may be provided along with the traditional hardcopy of the publication itself, so that subscribers to that issue mayidentify themselves as subscribers and obtain replacement or additionalcopies.

[0015] Alternatively, the record may be a file stored in acomputer-readable medium, provided by the user, and accessible to theprocessor via the user interface. Appropriate computer-readable mediamay include, without limitation, magnetic cards, portable flash memorychips, magnetic disks, optical disks, provided that the kiosk includesan appropriate media reader, exemplified in FIG. 1 by magnetic cardreader 15. Appropriate media readers are herein considered an aspect ofthe user interface, and include without limitation, magnetic (or swipe)card readers, memory chip communication ports (such as a USB port, forexample), magnetic disk drives, optical disk drives, etc. Magnetic cardreaders include devices that can read industry standard magnetic stripecards. Where the record is stored on a magnetic stripe card, the cardmay also perform one or more functions of a debit or credit card, so asto permit the user to provide access to the subscription record andprovide a payment with a single magnetic stripe card. In yet anotheralternative embodiment, the record may be a file stored in a personaldigital assistant device 21, that is accessible to the processor via aphysical or wireless connection.

[0016] The processor may be configured to print the selected publicationas soon as the user's subscription to the publication is verified. Forexample, a subscription to a particular publication may includeutilization of the kiosk, so that once the processor receives the signalidentifying the user, the selected publication would be provided at noadditional cost. Alternatively, the processor may be configured torequire payment of a fee from the user before printing the selectedpublication. Typically, the required fee to a subscriber to print aselected publication will be less than the fee to a non-subscribing userto print the same publication. That is, a subscription holder isprovided with a copy of their selected publication at a reduced costbecause they already hold a subscription to that publication.

[0017] Therefore, kiosk 10 may be configured to receive a payment fromthe user via the user interface, and verify the payment. Verification ofthe payment may include verifying that the amount paid is an appropriateamount, that the payment is authentic, or that the user is authorized tomake the payment. The kiosk may be configured to receive a physicalpayment in currency, such as via a coin slot or bill slot. In this caseverifying the payment may include verifying that the amount paid isappropriate, and that the payment is made in authentic currency (i.e.,not counterfeit). For example, the kiosk may incorporate one or moremechanisms capable of verifying the amount and authenticity of a paymentin currency as are generally utilized in a variety of vending machines.Alternatively, the kiosk may be configured to receive and verify anelectronic fund transfer, such as by a debit or ATM card transaction, asexemplified in FIG. 1 by magnetic card reader 15. In this case the usermay make an appropriate payment by swiping the debit or ATM card in cardreader 15, or otherwise initiating the electronic fund transfer. Theelectronic payment is typically enabled and/or verified by providing theprocessor a PIN number, password, or other authorization of payment froman electronic payment service, such as a bank account (including savingsaccounts, checking accounts, credit card and debit card accounts) orInternet-based electronic currency accounts. The transfer may beauthorized via the user interface, or the processor may access a filecontaining the necessary authorization stored on a personal digitaldevice via a physical or wireless connection.

[0018] Kiosk 10 may optionally permit the user to preview the selectedpublication before the publication is printed, or perhaps moreimportantly, before payment is received from the user. Such a previewmay utilize display 11 to provide a ‘thumbnail’ image of thepublication, or to display the title and/or the first paragraph of theselected publication. Previewing the selected publication may includebrowsing the previews of multiple selected publications before printing.

[0019] In order to facilitate retrieval of selected publications, verifysubscription information, and accept and verify user payments, kiosk 10is typically in communication with a network 20 via a network connection16, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and depicted schematically in FIG. 2.Network 20 may be a local area network (or LAN), or a wide area network(WAN) such as the Internet. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, network20 may also provide access to subscriber information 22, which mayidentify the subscriptions which the user has purchased. Network 20 alsoprovides for contact with an electronic payment service 23, as discussedabove.

[0020] Processor 18 of kiosk 10 may be in communication with one or moreelectronic databases of publications. The database of publications maybe localized within the kiosk itself, such as on a CD-ROM or otherstorage device. Alternatively, the apparatus may be in communicationwith an off-site electronic database of publications, for example, via acable connection or a wireless connection. It will be appreciated thatmaintaining a separate content database for each kiosk would requirefrequent updates of the database, either manually or remotely. Thus itmay be preferable to maintain a common publication database that isshared by plural kiosks. Each processor may then be in communicationwith the database via a network connection. As shown in FIG. 3, one ormore such common publication databases 24-26 may be in communicationwith kiosk 10 via network 20, each representing a different set ofavailable publications. Alternatively, the database may include thecontent of relatively few publications, or only one publication, and maybe made available on a computer-readable medium. For example, a magneticcard, magnetic disk, or optical disk may include an electronic versionof one or more publications. The user could then provide thecomputer-readable medium to the apparatus and request that one or morepublications stored thereon be printed. For example, a computer-readablemedium may be provided with the traditional subscriber copy of thepublication that includes an electronic version of that publication. Thecomputer-readable medium supplied with a publication may also includeadditional content or additional publications.

[0021] Publication databases 24-26 may include any of a variety ofpublication types, including newspapers, magazines, almanacs,dictionaries, encyclopedias, literary journals, scientific journals,etc. Processor 18, working in conjunction with at least one database24-26, may be configured to provide for printing of a single selectedissue of a magazine, newspaper, or journal. Alternatively, processor 18and databases 24-26 may be configured to provide for printing of asingle selected article, or portion of a selected magazine, newspaper,journal, etc.

[0022] Utilization of the kiosk may be exemplified by the followingtransaction. A business traveler approaches kiosk 10, and presses abutton on keyboard 12 to initiate a transaction. Processor 18 presents amessage on display 11, presenting several options, including forexample, a subscriber login or non-subscriber purchasing of apublication. The user selects subscriber login using keyboard 12, 15 andupon prompting by display 11, inserts an appropriate magnetic card incard reader 15. Processor 18 accesses the user's subscriptioninformation 22 via network 20, and presents a message on display 11greeting the user and requesting a PIN number, which the user enters onkeyboard 12. Processor 18 then displays the publications to which theuser has a subscription. The user selects one of the publications towhich the user has a subscription, using keyboard 12. Processor 18 thenrequests payment of a reduced subscriber fee for printing the selectednews magazine. The user then swipes a debit card using card reader 15,and in response to a prompt on display 11, enters an appropriate PINnumber to charge the account associated with the debit card. Processor18 accesses the user's debit card account via an electronic paymentservice 23 (such as a bank) via network 20 and verifies the appropriatepayment. Upon verification, processor 18 accesses electronic publicationdatabase 25, downloads the electronic copy of the selected publication,and sends it as a print job to printer 13. Upon printing the selectedpublication, the publication is deposited in dispenser 14, where theuser can retrieve it.

[0023] While the publication-dispensing apparatus has been depicted as akiosk, the particular arrangement of processor, printer, user interface,or method of payment is a matter of choice for the skilled artisan. Theapparatus is not limited to a free-standing vending machine, but may beincorporated into a wall or bulkhead. Alternatively, the user interfaceand dispensing mechanism may be located remotely from the processor. Thepresent disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A publication-dispensing apparatus, comprising: memory containing one or more publications; a user interface configured to permit a user to select a publication from publications in memory; a processor configured to determine proper payment for a selected publication based on whether the user has a subscription to the selected publication; and a printing device configured to print the selected publication onto a print medium upon receiving proper payment for the selected publication.
 2. The publication-dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive a payment from the user.
 3. The publication-dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive the payment in one or more of currency, debit card transaction, or electronic fund transfer.
 4. The publication-dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein proper payment from a subscribing user is less than corresponding proper payment from a non-subscribing user.
 5. The publication-dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the user has a subscription to the selected publication.
 6. The publication-dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to verify proper payment by the user, and to direct printing of the selected publication.
 7. The publication-dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory is accessed via an Internet connection.
 8. The publication-dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selected publication is selected from a magazine, a newspaper, and an article from a scientific journal.
 9. A method of printing a publication at a kiosk, the method comprising: receiving a request from a user to print a requested publication; retrieving the requested publication from memory; determining whether the user has a subscription to the requested publication; determining a proper payment for the requested publication based on whether the user has a subscription to the requested publication; and upon receiving the proper payment for the requested publication, printing the requested publication.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein proper payment from a subscribing user is less than corresponding proper payment from a non-subscribing user.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining whether the user has a subscription to the requested publication includes accessing a record that identifies user-subscribed publications.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the record that identifies user-subscribed publications is accessed via a network.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the record that identifies user-subscribed publications is accessed via a computer-readable medium provided by the user.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the record that identifies user-subscribed publications is accessed via at least one of a magnetic swipe card, a flash memory chip, a magnetic disk and an optical disk.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving proper payment includes at least one of receiving currency and processing an electronic fund transfer.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving proper payment further includes verifying the amount and authenticity of the payment.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving proper payment further includes verifying authorization for payment from the user.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein verifying authorization for payment includes accepting a password.
 19. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the request from the user to print the requested publication includes displaying at least one publication preview for the user.
 20. A storage medium readable by a processor, wherein the processor is in communication with a database of electronic publications, a printer, and a user interface, the storage medium having embodied therein a program of instructions executable by the processor to: receive a request from a user to print an electronic publication; determine whether the user has a subscription to the requested electronic publication; determine a proper payment for the requested electronic publication, wherein proper payment for a subscribing user is less than corresponding proper payment for a non-subscribing user; and print the requested electronic publication from the database after determining that proper payment has been received.
 21. The storage medium of claim 20, wherein determining whether the user has a subscription to the requested electronic publication includes accessing a record that identifies user-subscribed publications.
 22. The storage medium of claim 21, wherein accessing the record that identifies user-subscribed publications includes at least one of accessing a file via a network and accessing a file present on a computer-readable medium provided by the user.
 23. A publication-dispensing kiosk, comprising: memory means containing one or more electronic publications; selection means for selecting an electronic publication from such electronic publications present in the memory means; processor means for determining proper payment for the requested electronic publication, proper payment for a subscribing user being less than proper payment for a non-subscribing user; and printing means for printing a copy of the selected electronic publication upon receiving proper payment for the requested electronic publication.
 24. The publication-dispensing kiosk of claim 23, further comprising: means for receiving a payment from a user; and means for verifying amount and authenticity of the payment. 